Because Catherine (Messer) Shelton and her brother, John Messer, resided
in Jackson County, Alabama in the early 1800s, it is logical to believe
that many other Messers living in that area during the same period that
Catherine lived there are probably related. Other Messers living in Jackson
County, Alabama were:

William Messer (40.11), b. 1823, Tennessee

Since Catherine (Messer) Shelton resided in Hawkins County, Tennessee in
the early 1800s, it is logical to believe that many other Messers living
in that area during the same period that Catherine lived there are probably
related. Other Messers living in Hawkins County, Tennessee were:

Other major Messer lines originate from Haywood County, North Carolina.
According to Annals of Haywood County, North Carolina, there was a Captain
Messer who was one of the leaders of the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance
on May 17, 1771. It continues by stating: Direct traditional information
is that this Captain Messer, his given name not known, was the father of
Christian Messer, who came to the Dutch Cove section of Haywood County
in 1796. This book furthers indicates that Christian Sargent Messer was
twenty-one years old at the close of the Revolutionary War. He had become
a seasoned soldier during the three or four years that he had shouldered
arms in behalf of American Independence. Although the authors do not believe
that this Christian Messer is their direct ancestor, his birthdate and
geographic residences are too similar to the authors Messer ancestry to
be ignored. Therefore, Christian Messer of Haywood County, North Carolina
was briefly researched:

Christian Sargent Messer (40.14), b. ca. 1760

The authors do not believe that Christian Sargent Messer of Haywood County,
North Carolina is the same Christian that died in Hawkins County, Tennessee.
The Annals of Haywood County, North Carolina clearly states that Christian
Messer died in 1850 in the ninetieth year of his age. Christian Messer
of Hawkins County, Tennessee is definitely known to have died prior to
1834 when his son, John Messer, sold a parcel of land that fell by heirship
of Christian Messer, deceased. Another set of facts are the known children
of each Christian Messer. Christian Messer of Hawkins County, Tennessee
is known to had three sons, John, Isaac and Jacob. The Christian Messer
of Haywood County, North Carolina is known to had three sons, Frederick,
John and David. John Messer of Haywood County, North Carolina remained
in Haywood County and raised a large family while John Messer of Hawkins
County, Tennessee moved to Jackson County, Alabama and raised a family
there. However, both Christian Messer of Haywood County and Christian Messer
of Hawkins County were both born around 1760 which similarity warranted
further investigation.

SHELTON FAMILY HISTORY 4-373

According to Louise (Messer) Patrick, other references to Christian Messers
living in North Carolina were found. Christian Messer and wife, Sara, at
the Moravian Settlement of Bethany, 1783, a son Jeramus Messer was baptised.
Christian Messer was listed in Stokes County, North Carolina in 1790, 1784
- 1787 State Census of North Carolina, there were only four Messers or
Messars heads of family, only one Christian, he being in Surry County,
North Carolina and the other three in Jones County, North Carolina. It
is not known that these references are those of Christian Messer of Haywood
County, North Carolina or those of Christian Messer of Hawkins County,
Tennessee. With respect to the Moravian reference where Christian Messers
wife is listed as Sara. It is known that Christian Messer of Hawkins County,
Tennessee died leaving a widow named Sally which is a common nickname for
Sara(h). Because of the inclusion of Christian Messer of Haywood County,
North Carolina, it likely that other Messers orginating from Haywood County
were probably related. Other Messers that lived in Haywood County, North
Carolina were:

WILLIAM MESSER (40.11) lived in Jackson County, Alabama. William was born
in 1823 in Tennessee. From 1850 to 1870, William Messer and his wife, Sarah
Elizabeth Messer (born 1824 in Alabama), were living in Jackson County,
Alabama. William and Sarah Messer had at least ten children:

James Messer married Nancy F. Shellhouse in Randolph County, Georgia. James
Messer died between 1912 and 1916 in Levy County, Florida and was buried
in the Plummer Cemetery in Montbrook, Florida. On January 13, 1885, John
Messer married Mary Mims in Perry, Florida. On September 28, 1866, Mary
Messer married John W. Adkins in Jackson County, Alabama. Sarah Messer
married John Martin Duncan (1.5.1.2) in Franklin County, Arkansas. In 1880,
Louisa Messer was living with her brother, Jesse Messer, in Jackson County,
Alabama. On November 24, 1880, Louisa Messer married William Cox in Jackson
County, Alabama.

JESSE J. MESSER (40.11.4) is the son of William Messer and Sarah Elizabeth
Messer. Jesse was born in October of 1848 in Alabama. On July 23, 1868,
Jesse Messer married Lydia California Johnson in Jackson County, Alabama.
Lydia was born in January, 1855 in Alabama and is the daughter of Martin
Johnson and Martha (Green) Johnson. Lydias sister, Milton Johnson, married
Jeremiah Gilbert Bellomy (32.6.1.3). From 1880 to 1900, Jesse and Lydia
Messer were living in Jackson County, Alabama. Jesse and Lidia Messer were
the parents of at least six children:

ALLEN J. MESSER (40.11.5) is the son of William Messer and Sarah Elizabeth
Messer. Allen was born on March 1, 1850 in Alabama. On January 4, 1871,
Allen Messer married Louisa J. Brazier (born May 12, 1855 in Alabama) in
Jackson County, Alabama. In 1880, Allen and Kit Messer were living in Jackson
County, Alabama. Allen and Kit Messer were the parents of at least two
children:

Allen J. Messer died on December 4, 1912 and Louisa Messer died on June
22, 1913. Both were buried in the Smyrna Cemetery in Montague County, Texas.
George W. Messer died on March 11, 1899 and was buried in the Smyrna Cemetery
in Montague County, Texas.

SUSANNAH MESSER (40.11.6) is the daughter of William Messer and Sarah Elizabeth
Messer. Susannah was born on April 28, 1855 in Jackson County, Alabama.
On November 16, 1873, Susannah Messer married Miles Smith in Jackson County,
Alabama. Miles was born on May 9, 1838 in Jackson County, Alabama and is
the son of John Smith and Elsie (Willis) Smith. In 1880, Miles and Susan
Smith were living in Jackson County, Alabama. Miles and Susannah Smith
were the parents of at least four children:

MARTHA JANE MESSER (40.11.7) is the daughter of William Messer and Sarah
Elizabeth Messer. Martha was born in 1857 in Jackson County, Alabama. On
December 9, 1874, Martha Messer married John Martin Sisk in Jackson County,
Alabama. John was born in August, 1852 in Jackson County, Alabama. John
and Martha Sisk were the parents of seven children:

MICHAEL MESSER (40.12) lived in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Michael was
born in 1782 in North Carolina. From 1840 to 1870, Michael Messer was living
in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Michael Messer and his wife, Mary Messer
(born 1798 in Tennessee), were the parent of at least four children:

THOMAS MESSER (40.13) lived in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Thomas was born
in 1785. In 1860, Thomas Messer was living in Hawkins County, Tennessee.
Thomas Messer and his wife, Bettie Messer (born 1795), were the parent
of at least two children:

Thomas Messer, b. 1835Jane Messer, b. 1838

In 1850, Bettie Messer (born 1848) was living with Thomas and Bettie Messer,
probably a granddaughter.

Reference: 1) 1860 Census, Hawkins County, Tennessee

CHRISTIAN SARGENT MESSER (40.14) lived in Haywood County, North Carolina.
Much is found on Christian Messer and his family in the book, The Annals
of Haywood County, North Carolina which is used in the following quotes.
Christian Messer was twenty-one years old at the close of the Revolutionary
War. Since the Battle of Yorktown was the last significant battle of the
war, Christian is believed to be born in 1760. This date is further substantiated
by his description when Christian was present after the Battle of Alamance
(1771) as being a child about ten years old. Christian Messer was the son
of Captain Messer. Captain Messer was executed for his participation in
the Battle of Alamance, which some writers claim to have been the first
armed conflict of the Revolutionary War which took place on May 17, 1771.
After Captain Messers capture, his wife and ten year old son (Christian
Messer), pleaded to the authorities to spare Captain Messers life. Only
after a few days after the battle, Governor Tyron was present for the executions
and young Christian Messer stepped up to Tyron and asked him to hang him
and let his father live. Tyron wished to know who had instructed him to
do so. Nobody, was the reply. What is your reason for making this offer?
Because if you hang my father, my mother will die, and the children will
perish, said the boy. This request was made with such simplicity and earnestness
that it touched the governors feelings; and he told him that his father
should not die that day. However, less than one month later, Captain Messer
and others were executed on June 19, 1771. After Captain Messers execution,
Mrs. Messer and her other children fade out of view and nothing is known
of what became of her or of the other members of the family. It is known
that Christian Messer was Captain Messers oldest son.

Christian Sargent Messer reared a large family. Several of his sons moved
to Texas and Arkansas. One went to Tennessee to live. Three, Fred, John
and David remained in Haywood County. Several of his sons joined the tide
of emigration to Texas in the early part of the nineteenth century, took
part in the achievement of Texas independence in 1836 and became permanent
residents of the Lone Star State. Two of them went to Arkansas among that
swelling throng that built up the great west. One settled in Tennessee.
Therefore, Christian Messer, was the father of at least three sons:

Prior to coming to Haywood County, or what is now Haywood County, to live,
Christian Messer had moved from Orange County to Burke, but the exact location
has not been determined. Christian Messer died in 1850 in the ninetieth
year of his age.

FREDERICK MESSER (40.14.1) is the son of Christian Sargent Messer. According
to The Annals of Haywood County, North Carolina, Fred was five years of
age when his family moved to Haywood County in 1796 and therefore Frederick
was born around 1791. However, the 1850 census of Haywood County lists
Fedric Messer and states that he was born in 1803 in North Carolina and
the 1860 census states that he was born in 1795 in North Carolina. From
1850 to 1860, Fred Messer and his wife, Anna Messer (born 1806 in North
Carolina), were living in Haywood County, North Carolina. Fred and Anna
Messer were the parents of at least eight children:

Frederick Messer died in 1908. No additional information is known about
Jackson Messer other than he emigrated to Tennessee. In 1860, Samuel Messer
was still living with his father in Haywood County, North Carolina. No
further information is known about Sam Messer other than he bought property
in Madison County and made his home there. All that is known about Susie
Messer is that she lived with her father unmarried.

JOHN MESSER (40.14.2) is the son of Christian Sargent Messer. John was
born in North Carolina. John Messer lived in the White Oak township, married
and reared a large family." John Messer was the father of eight children:

Sallie Messer married John Green of Crabtree. Elizabeth Messer married
Marion Green. Lucinda Messer married George Green of Fines Creek. Jane
Messer married James Messer. Rachel Messer married Marion Parton.

WILLIAM O. MESSER (40.14.2.1) is the son of John Messer. William was born
on July 16, 1824 in North Carolina. On October 8, 1852, William Messer
married Elizabeth Smith (born January 1, 1835, North Carolina) in Haywood
County, North Carolina. William and Elizabeth Messer were the parents of
twelve children:

William O. Messer died on June 4, 1896 in Haywood County, North Carolina
and Elizabeth (Smith) Messer died on June 7, 1902 in Haywood County, North
Carolina. Sallie Messer married Ira McGee. Didama Messer married Francis
M. Frank Teague. Didama (Messer) Teague died on February 2, 1929 in Haywood
County, North Carolina. Around 1877, Lonesome Messer married D. Reed McElroy
(born December 5, 1858 in North Carolina). Reed McElroy died on August
12, 1897 in Haywood County, North Carolina. Lonesome (Messer) McElroy died
on July 30, 1916 in Haywood County, North Carolina. William Messer married
Elmirah Dotson. William Messer died on April 18, 1949 in Haywood County,
North Carolina. Clingman Messer married Francis Elizabeth Early. Nancy
Messer married Dan McCoy. Lou Messer married James Messer. Malinda Messer
married Bill Teague. John Messer married Hester Love. Marshall Messer married
Sallie Moore. Margaret Messer married John Parkins.

PATTON M. MESSER (40.14.2.2) is the son of John Messer. Patton was born
in September, 1834 in North Carolina. On December 25, 1853, Patton Messer
married Cathorine Nancy Rhea in Haywood County, North Carolina. Cathorine
was born in February of 1836 in North Carolina. Patton and Cathorine Messer
were the parents of eleven children:

Cathorine (Rhea) Messer died in 1919 in Morrison, Oklahoma and Patton Messer
died on January 20, 1923 in Morrison, Oklahoma. One daughter of Patton
and Cathorine Messer became Mrs. James Murray. McAnnally Messer and his
wife, Lillie Messer, were marriead in Arkansas. John C. Messer and his
wife, Celie M. Messer, were married in Haywood County, North Carolina.
James Messer and his wife, Mary Messer, were married in 1880 in Haywood
County, North Carolina. James Messer married a second to a woman named,
Lura Jane. James Messer died on September 19, 1941 in Haywood County, North
Carolina. Robert Messer and his wife, Mary E. Messer, were married in 1881
in North Carolina. On August 23, 1891, Annie Messer married James Rector
Little in Washington County, Arkansas. Annie (Messer) Little died on October
26, 1935 in Morrison, Oklahoma.

LAWSON MESSER (40.14.2.3) is the son of John Messer. Lawson was born in
February of 1837 in North Carolina. On October 18, 1856, Lawson Messer
married Nancy Avoline Smith (born January, 1839 in North Carolina) in Haywood
County, North Carolina. In 1860, Lawson and Nancy Messer were living in
Haywood County, North Carolina. Lawson and Nancy Messer were the parents
of at least twelve children:

Lawson Messer died in 1930 at the age of 94. Henry Messer married Emiline
Nelson. William A. Messer married Margaret Clark. William A. Messer died
on May 5, 1946 in Haywood County, North Carolina. Abigail Messer married
John Miller. Elizabeth Messer died at the age of twenty-two. Catherine
Messer married Henry McElroy. George Messer moved to Oklahoma. Thomas Messer
married Lura Snelson. Robert Messer married Tina Waycaster. Nina Messer
married James Noland. Charles Messer married Sallie Lee. Charles Messer
died on January 26, 1953. Annie Messer married Hardy Crawford. Hannibal
Messer married Lizzie Noland.

DAVID MESSER (40.14.3) is the son of Christian Sargent Messer. David was
born in 1810 in North Carolina. David was the youngest of the sons of Christian
Messer. He was born in 1812. On December 19, 1832, David Messer married
Mary Polly Gililand in Haywood County, North Carolina. Mary was born 1813
in North Carolina and is the daughter of Robert Gililand. From 1850 to
1860, David and Mary Messer were living in Haywood County, North Carolina.
David and Polly Messer were the parents of eleven children:

David Messer died in 1896. John Messer moved to Newport, Tennessee. Callie
Messer married Alfred Shope of Macon County. Kizzie Messer married John
Smart and located on Crabtree township. Lettie Messer married Kimsey Hoglen
and moved to Macon County. Robert Messer married Lizzie Allen and moved
to Macon County. Elmina Messer married Terrell Bradley and located in Macon
County. Tipton Messer married Maggie Hooker and lived on Panther Creek.
Weston Messer married Mary Gililand and moved to Marion, North Carolina.
David and Polly Messers last daughter died early in life.

SHELTON FAMILY HISTORY 4-381

Matthew Messer married Adeline Gililand and located on Panther Creek. Reed
Messer married Della West and moved to Marion, North Carolina. Charles
Messer married Maggie Williams and married a second time to Leona Henson,
located on Panther Creek. Mary Messer married Thomas Justice of Canton.
Ellen Messer married Bob Arrington and located on Panther Creek. Sallie
Messer married Estes Arrington of Waynesville.

HENRY MESSER (40.14.3.1) is the son of David Messer and Mary (Gililand)
Messer. Henry was born in 1834 in North Carolina. On December 11, 1856,
Henry Messer married Adeline McCraken in Haywood County, North Carolina
and they located in the Crabtree township. In 1860, Henry and Adaline Messer
were living in Haywood County, North Carolina. Henry and Adaline Messer
were the parents of at least two children:

FRANKLIN M. MESSER (40.14.3.2) is the son of David Messer and Polly (Gililand)
Messer. Frank was born on August 28, 1835 in North Carolina. On April 13,
1857, Frank Messer married Jennie Noland in Haywood County, North Carolina
and they lived on Panther Creek. Frank and Jennie Messer were the parents
of eight children:

Jennie (Nolan) Messer died on November 14, 1913 and Frank Messer died on
June 29, 1919. Laura Messer married James Russell of Fines Creek. Robert
Messer married Alice Gaines and moved to Murray County, Georgia. Franklin
B. Messer married Jennie Gilbert and settled in Oklahoma. Allen Messer
married Emma Treadway and located on Fines Creek. William Messer married
Lula Rogers and moved to Asheville. Anna Messer married M. A. McCracken
and located in Iron Duff. Sarah Messer married T. N. Leatherwood and settled
in White Oak township. Erastus Messer married Herma Jarrett and made his
home in Waynesville.

GEORGE MESSER (40.15) resided in Haywood County, North Carolina. George
was born in 1797 in North Carolina. On April 10, 1822, George Messer married
Nancy Caldwell in Haywood County, North Carolina. Nancy was born in 1808
in North Carolina and is the daughter of William Caldwell of Haywood County,
North Carolina. From 1850 to 1860, George and Nancy Messer were living
in Haywood County, North Carolina. George and Nancy Messer were the parents
of at least twelve children:

George Messer died in 1862 and Nancy (Caldwell) Messer died between 1860
and 1870. Mary Polly Messer married a Mr. Jenkins. Elizabeth Betty Messer
married a Mr. Fullbright. Nancy Messer married a Mr. Clevenger or Cloniger.

References: 1) 1850 and 1860 Censuses, Haywood County, North Carolina;
2) Early Marriage Bonds of Haywood County, North Carolina, by Mr. and
Mrs. James E. Woolley, Page 59; 3) Letter, Louise (Messer) Patrick to Robert
Casey, April 7, 1988

DANIEL MESSER (40.15.1) is the son of George Messer and Nancy (Caldwell)
Messer. Daniel was born in 1822 in North Carolina. In 1860, Daniel and
his wife, Elizabeth Messer (born 1826 in North Carolina), were living in
Haywood County, North Carolina. Daniel and Elizabeth Messer were the parents
of at least eight children:

MOSES MESSER (40.15.2) is the son of George Messer and Nancy (Caldwell)
Messer. Moses was born in 1824 in North Carolina. In 1860, Moses and his
wife, Barbary Messer (born 1821 in North Carolina), were living in Haywood
County, North Carolina. Moses and Barbary Messer were the parents of at
least six children:

SAMUEL MESSER (40.15.10) is the son of George Messer and Nancy (Caldwell)
Messer. Samuel was born in 1844 in North Carolina. On August 5, 1867, Samuel
Messer married Rapsey Elvira Price in Haywood County, North Carolina. Rapsey
was born in 1849 in Haywood County, North Carolina and is the daughter
of William Price and Mary (Caldwell) Price. Samuel and Rapsey Messer were
the parents of eight children:

Rapsey (Price) Messer died about 1855 near Iron Duff, Haywood County, North
Carolina. In 1891, Samuel Messer married a second time to Tabitha Abbott
in Tennessee. Samuel Messer died on March 9, 1911 near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Louise (Messer) Patrick is a granddaughter of Harvey Messer and is an active
researcher.

References: 1) 1850 and 1860 Censuses, Haywood County, North Carolina;
2) Early Marriage Bonds of Haywood County, North Carolina, by Mr. and
Mrs. James E. Woolley, Page 60; 3) Letter, Louise (Messer) Patrick to Robert
Casey, April 7, 1988

SOLOMON MESSER (40.16) lived in Haywood County, North Carolina. Solomon
was born 1838 in Haywood County, North Carolina. Solomon Messer married
Sarah Kirkpatick. Solomon and Sarah Messer were the parents of at least
four children: